McCain: ‘Too Early’ to Tell If Obama Has Put Nation at Risk of Terror Attack

Today, I tried something new. I interviewed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., via Twitter, the micro-blogging website. I received a lot of questions for the senator from the Twitter community — thanks for those. McCain and I discussed the AIG bailout and bonuses; whether he agrees with former Vice President Dick Cheney that President Obama has put nation at risk of a new terror attack; which nation worries him more: Iran or Pakistan; and his reaction to his daughter’s recent feud with radio talk show host Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter. McCain said it is "too early" to tell if President Obama has put the nation at risk of a terror attack, refusing to agree or reject Cheney’s recent comments. McCain also said he is working on alternatives to Obama’s budget plan, and pointed to Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., as someone with "great ideas." On his daughter, Meghan’s, recent feud with Ingraham and Coulter, McCain said he’s proud of his daughter and "she has a right to her opinions." Below is a transcript of my "twitterview" today with Sen. McCain. It was an interesting experiment! –George Stephanopoulos SenJohnMcCain hi george im a little slow SenJohnMcCainHappy St. Patricks day GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Happy St Patrick’s Day! First things first: How do u tweet — dictate or type? Blackberry or pc? SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos Happy St. Patrick’s day – slow, sometimes pc somtimes bb GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain AIG: Would a President McCain break bonus contracts? Obama teams says that would cause more harm than good SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos i would have never bailed out AIG, the real scandal is billions to foreign banks. GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain ok, but today: should bonus contracts be broken? Dodd wants a targeted tax on bonuses OK with that? SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos i haven’t seen it but i would explore every option. i repeat, we wouldn’t have this problem if we hadn’t bailed them out GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain RIght, but didn’t you vote for first TARP, which went to AIG? SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos i voted for first tarp but that doesn’t mean i voted to bail out AIG. GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Obama says GOP can’t "just say no" on budget Will you offer a full alternative to Obama budget? SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos I’m working with others on alternatives – cong paul ryan has some great ideas. SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos to follow up – first AIG bailout was pre-tarp. GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Take point on 1st AIG bailout How about budget? Will you offer alternative? GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain What worries you more: Pakistan or Iran? SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos both. the challenges are different but both significant. GStephanopoulos@SenJohMcCain Cheney said on CNN that Obama putting US at risk of new terror attack Agree? SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos too early to draw that conclusion. GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Lots of twitterers want to know: what do you think of Meghan’s feud with Coulter and Ingraham? SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos I’m proud of my daughter and she has a right to her opinions. SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos like any family we agree on some things and disagree on others. GStephanopoulos@SenJohnMcCain Thanks for your time Senator.You’re a good sport I know I’m not getting anymore on Coulter and Ingraham Happy St Pat’s again SenJohnMcCain@GStephanopoulos Thanks a lot george, let’s do it again soon. now i look forward to reading our followers comments and insults. SenJohnMcCain had a lot of fun george: http://tinyurl.com/dl2w9t Follow ABC News’ Chief Washington Correspondent and "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos on Twitter HERE. Bookmark "George’s Bottom Line" blog and "friend" George on Facebook.

George Stephanopoulos is anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week." He is also the network's chief political correspondent, reporting on political and policy stories for all ABC News broadcasts and platforms.